Manny’s childhood started in Pahoa, Hawaii (Big Island).  Later in life, Manny graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, TX, Class of 79; and attended college at the University of Texas – El Paso (UTEP), in the fall of 1979.

Graduating UTEP in 1985, with a Bachelor of Science – Computer Science degree, he was commissioned into the US Air Force, as a Second Lieutenant.  His first duty assignment was at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, as a Missile Launch Officer.  Lt Manuel was assigned to the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron.  During his Missile duty, Lt Manuel was hand-picked to participate in a “Foot-Launch” Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) supporting the Vandenburg AFB, California mission.

In 1986, Manny married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Carrillo, in El Paso, TX.  They now have two sons.

In 1988, Manny was promoted to Captain Manuel and became a Missile Combat Crew Commander.

In 1990, Captain Manuel was then assigned to Langley AFB, VA.  He was assigned to the 1912th Computer Systems Group, as a Computer-Network Programmer Analyst, Section Chief.  In 1993, Capt Manuel was again hand-picked and assigned to work at the Air Combat Command (ACC), Directorate of Communications-Computer Systems (HQ ACC/SC), Langley AFB, VA.

In 1995, after much prayer, Captain Manuel and his family made a “Step-of-Faith” decision to depart the USAF and move to Kauai in early 1996.  His parents welcomed the transition in Kekaha, Kauai.  His parents played an important role during this transition period.  This relocation ensured his sons would have a meaningful Grandparent-Grandchildren relationship.

Shortly after arriving on Kauai, he was employed as a government contractor with ITT Industries, at the Navy Pacific Missile Range (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai, Hi.  He was employed as a Communications-Computer Network, Database Computer Programmer.  In this capacity, he also became the subject matter expert in teaching the full Microsoft Office 95 desktop applications to the PMRF Command community of over 300 personnel.   This new job was his introduction to the government contractor world.  With year-round beautiful Hawaii weather, living right across the Kekaha sandy beach, and only 9 minutes travel time to work – the front door to desk – who could ask for anything more?

Then in 2000, as opportunity would have it, Manny, would then secure a new ITT Industries job back at Langley AFB, VA in the very same unit (1912 Computer Systems Group) as an Information Security Firewall programmer analyst to implement new Information Assurance products.  The Rome Labs, Rome AFB, NY backed this effort.  This new job brought new technologies to combat Security Intrusion Threats.  This relocation of contractor employment allowed Manny to serve alongside his USAF active-duty counterparts.  He missed the USAF uniform so much, that he was able to enter the US Air Force Reserves as a US Air Force Individual Mobilized Augmentee (IMA) Reservist.  He was later promoted to Major and then retired from the US Air Force Reserves in March 2011.

From 2011 to September 2021, as a database programmer/systems administrator, Manny has been able to work with several different government contractors, such as  Ironclad Technology, NES, D3ASO, Teksouth, Raytheon, P3I, Vectrus, Inc., and Ironclad Technologies, Inc.

Along this semi-retirement journey Manny, in his spare time, was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Adult leader, acting in different capacities.

In 2010, he along with two other Hampton, VA gentlemen, created a non-profit organization called: Youth Bands.

In 2013, Manny and his youngest son (Howie) began building the backyard Koi Pound.  This led to the creation and birth of Aloha Gardens in April 2017.